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Members Cars
57 "36hp Challenge" Bus | 
Owner: Matthew Kenny, Paso Robles, CA Feature Car Winter 2012 The Challenge: Find out how fast your 36hp Volkswagen can go at the mecca for all land speed racers, the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah. Drive your bug from a standing start and accelerate at full throttle over a full mile until it’s ultimate top speed is reached in a precision 132 ft. Speed Trap, and do it with the same street legal bug you drive every day. http://saltflats.com/36_HP.html http://burlyb.com The following are some exerpts from Matthews entries in our forum documenting his trip to Bonneville 2011 in his very cool Bus.
This was my first time out, and it was a real kick in the ass! I built a 57 panel bus with a stroker 36hp (1560cc) an wound up with a 68.3 mph top speed with a stock height RGB transmission bus. My record was bested by a single cab truck at 68.88mph that had a WW Okrasa kitted engine on a lowered chassis with no RGB boxes. It was very much fun and a good learning experience which was my main reason to go. The 36hp challenge is a very low dollar entry level class to run at Bonneville. It does not matter how fast you go down the salt, it still gives you the same adrenalin rush. Check out the bus on my site, I'll be adding another page to it in a couple days with some salt shots. www.aircooledresearch.com/docs/articleno6.html
"I want to know the process of getting the bus in the back of the truck .... Ramps and winch system ???" Ramps, back it in. The road into the salt park is raised about three feet from the parking/camp area so your just back the truck up to the road and put out the ramps. Once everything is lined up, just back in and strap down. Same routine at the King's. The door of the bus opens just enough above the top of the truck bed to get out. The toy hauler had two motor cycles and a Manx buggy in the back. We went 60-65mph the whole way.
Roof Rack and Speed?? Biggest reason the roof rack was still on is that it is "growing " into the roof skin. It'll be a little bit of work to clean it off. I did have four caps, I had the back one off to air up the tire before my last two runs. The whole idea behind this trip was just to go and run, but with a totally unusual vehicle. I also wanted to prove the engine configuration that pushed the bus down the track (very simple no frills stroker anyone can build). My half mile speed was 63mph which I thought was very good from a standing start in a RGB bus. Now that I know the logistics on getting to Bonneville and what to expect when you get there,
72mm stroke 912 crank, 83mm 40hp big bore pistons/cyls, stock heads (ported polished) and one of my special grind cams. It's a real grunt engine.
Congratulations to Matthew for having a great run at Bonneville and making us here on the Central Coast proud!
Now we need to get a few more racers out there next year!! James???
67 Bug (work in progress) |
Owner: Stephen Murray, Westlake, CA After many years in the garage, I started to do some work on my Black ‘67 Beetle.
I was involved in an accident in 1992, and the front clip will need to be replaced. Fortunately, I purchased all the parts I need years ago.
The car retains it’s original paint, and interior. It’s a bit worn, bit all there. I had the car in high school and college (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo).
I intend to get the new clip installed in the near future, and begin to make it road worthy. I’m not sure if I’ll do a “Complete Restoration” or just spot the Clip in.
72 Standard Beetle |
Owner: Dylan Morrow, Goleta, CA
55 Ragtop Beetle |
Owner: Roger Wood, Ojai, CA
66 Sunroof Bug |
Owner: Diana, Paso Robles, CA Nice original Bug. Sunroof, Ruby Red, Unmolested. Upgraded to an H case 1500 SP, but still 6 volt.
71 Super Bug |
Owner: Jondee Bewarder, Los Osos John Deere Green Super Bug
54 Beetle |
Owner: Eric Lykens, Orcutt, CA
62 "Bad Ass" Baja |
Owner: Jerry Rex, Buena Park, CA
70 Beetle |
Owner: Jack Morrow, Refugio, CA
59 Single Cab |
Owner: Damon Claussen, Ventura, CA Summer 2010 Feature Car
60 Beetle Time Capsule |
Owner: Darin Paso Robles, CA Very original family owned car from new. 48,000 miles
71 Bus |
Owner: Cory Merino, Santa Maria, CA
59 15 Window Bus |
Owner: Damon Claussen, Ventura, CA Summer 2010 Feature Car
69 Karmann Ghia Convertible |
Owner: John Childers, Paso Robles, CA
71 "snowtop" Camper |
Owner: Guy St. Clair, Santa Barbara, CA
59 23 Window Bus |
Owner: Mark Olague, Palmdale, CA
 1964 Cal Look Survivor |
Owner: Rick Rojas, Santa Barbara, CA
70 Convertible Bug |
Owner: Matthew Mariscal, Santa Maria, CA - Feature Car Summer 2011
58 Bug |
Owner: Dianne and Christopher, Los Osos, CA
  1968 Cabriolet |
Owner: Jim Bevan, Cambria, CA Club Feature Car Fall 2011 I purchased the 1968 VW Cabriolet in 1991. It was a desert car (I lived in Ridgecrest in the Mojave desert at the time). It had a cheap red paint job, the top was shot (as was the bow that seals the top in front), and the interior was shot. It had been souped up a bit--porshe distributor and rims, lowered front, race car steering wheel, dual trumpet pipes, etc. It was mechanically pretty good so it was a fun car to drive and I used to drive it to work a lot, especially in the summer. I had the engine rebuilt and replaced the carburator, distributor, and speedometer while in the desert. I kept it as a retirement restoration project. But when I retired, I flunked retirement. I went back to work. Unfortunately, the VW suffered in the coastal climate. In the month I had it outside while I moved in, it picked up more rust than its entire life in the desert. I did stop that process by garaging it and covering it. It was great to drive in Cambria but over time it slowly degraded and eventually I couldn't drive it. About 3 years ago I found a guy here in town named Brad Jarvis. He loves VWs and begged me to let him restore it. My approach was to return it to stock/new condition. Since I was still working, I agreed to pay him to be the lead/mechanical guy in a restoration. It was not a frame off restoration but we did pull everything off! We stripped out the interior, pulled the motor, totally pulled out the dash, and pulled off fenders, everything. It was painted inside and out at Cambria Auto Restoration. I had to replace one fender due to damage but that was it for the metal. There were six coats of paint on it....the original tan, orange, blue, green, yellow, and finally red. The restoration guys sand blasted it inside and out. It turned out (unknown to me), it had been hit on the right side. They redid all the damaged parts from that. After painting, the restoration guys put the fenders etc. back together. We replaced every piece of rubber. Next we towed it back to Brad and he put the car back together. That meant putting the engine in, putting all the windows and their mechanisms in, and redoing the dash. The biggest problems were replacing the dash, replacing the broken drivers side window regulator, and replacing the steering wheel. We had also restored and repainted the hardware for the top, ordered a new top, and ordered all the wood pieces (very expensive). We then drove the vehicle to Mike Wray in Cayucos. He has a home shop and is well known for his fabulous interior work. He agreed to do the VW. In the only significant move from stock, I couldn't bear to put in rubber mats and vinyl seats etc. It has a canvas top and very nice seats and carpet. With all the work I have done since I bought the bug, I have about the same costs as a new car. Since I view it as my around town car, it was like buying a new, American made car! It is great to drive it around town!    72 Super Beetle |
Owner: Dakota Dale, Los Alamos, CA
59 Custom Bug |
Owner: Dave Flores, Santa Barbara, CA
 60 Beetle |
Owner: John Borchert, San Luis Obispo, Ca
71 Squareback |
Owner: Ben Quesinberry, Orcutt, CA
59 Beetle |
Owner: Kyle Coffman, Templeton, CA
  64 Beetle |
Owner: Don Helffenstein, Templeton, CA Very early production (September 1963) 1964 113 still using early peanut front turn signal lamps. Bought by me in 1974 for my wife to use as a daily driver (we didn't want to put miles on the 65 111 Sedan "A") from the second owner who owned the car for about two weeks. This girl sold the car because she thought she had really hurt the car learning to drive a stick, and what she did was break the front trans-axle mount. The original owner lived just down the street from her so she introduced me to him. The original owner blew up the engine after it's first year and had Rivera VW ( Manhattan Beach Ca.) put in a factory re-manufactured engine from the Kassel plant in germany. The re-man engine is still in there. I painted the car in my driveway in 1979, and on 10/25/08 after 160,000 miles I burned all four exhaust valves going to Pismo Derelicts-I had barely enough compression to get home. This is the picture at Pismo that day; http://www.pismoderelicts.com/
70 HouseKamper |
Owner: Matt McLaughlin, Santa Barbara, CA
58 Ragtop Beetle |
Owner: Guy St. Clair, Santa Barbara, CA
 68 Cal Looker Bug |
Owner: Randy Tate, Lompoc, CA
70 Beetle |
Owner: Kathy Patty, LeMoore Ca
58 Ragtop Beetle |
Owner: Rachel and Kris Knott, Paso Robles, CA
Fall 2010 Feature Car Rachel and Kris have been long time supporters of our club. Rachel was one of the reasons we have a club and
can surely be called a Co-Founder. Kris has also always been there to help when we needed it. Quite a few
of our past raffle cars have been "wrenched on" by Kris.
They recently picked up this beautiful 1958 Ragtop Beetle from Bend Oregon. Actually, Rachel bought it while
Kris was on duty with the Coast Guard in the Persian Gulf. After Kris made it home safe and seeing his family
was OK and doing well, what a nice surprise to have this little Beetle sitting in the garage.
It's painted a very cool vintage Dove Blue with a Tan Tweed interior. It sports a 12V 1600 cc engine with a single carb
so it's really built for hitting the road. This car looks great in person and you'll be able to see it at upcoming events.
Congratulations Rachel and Kris on a beautiful new car!!
1st Place - Solvang 2010
Early Square - 1958-62
 66 Resto Custom |
Owner: Peter Lee Santa Maria, CA
71 Bus(es) |
Owner: Todd Baskin, Arroyo Grande, CA Club Feature Car Spring 2011 He has a FLEET!
58 Bug |
Owner: Terry McKniight,Arroyo Grande
The Beetle is a 1958 Deluxe Sedan with its original 36 HP and splitcase trans. Build date 01-30-1958 The factory color is Agave Green L-240 with green/grey interior.
 67 (Slammed!) Bug |
Owner: Kevin Shay, Lompoc, CA
71 Beetle |
Owner: Amy & Rex Douglas, Atascadero, CA
 58 Euro Bug |
Owner:
Brian O'Kelly
Paso Robles, CA
 69 Ghia |
Owner: Eloy Huitron, So Cal
71 Bug |
Owner: Randy Tate, Lompoc, CA
 58/72 BugBus |
Owner Builder: Jon Milne, Atascadero
If the name is familiar it it because he painted our raffle car!
The car is pre PT Cruiser.
 62 Resto Custom Vert Bug |
Owner: Tim Borges, Atascadero, CA
71 Convertible Bug |
Owners: Del and Marlene Ward, Nipomo, CA
 56 Ragtop Beetle |
Owner: Brian O'Kelly, Paso Robles, CA
Restoration candidate. Documented original motor, very straight aprons, no rust, complete and a ragtop.
Scheduled for restoration 2011
    68 Bus |
Owner: Miguel Flores, Shafter Ca
71 Squareback |
Owner: Greg & Shannon Oueilhe, Fresno, CA
 56 Oval Bug |
Owner: Hugh Williamson, Atascadero, CA Model: Oval Window Bug
Year: 1956
Color: Original color was a steel gray/blue.
Repainted with a 1998 VW new body
style red.
Nickname: Little Red (by my daughters)
Mechanical/Cosmetic Changes:
Removed every handle, fixture and moving part before beginning the extensive body repair. Body was repaired first (Jeff at Rainbow Paint and Marine in Paso Robles). Once body was complete, replaced original motor with a 1973 dual port head motor. Replaced original transmission with 1968 transaxle. Revamped from 6-volt to 12-volt electrical system. All re-usable chrome fittings were polished (by my daughters) and re-used. Others were purchased. In-dash CD player and rear speakers were added. Upholstery and headliner work was completely replaced, along with replacement of all padding and backings (Skip's Upholstery in Atascadero).
Work done by Myself:
All clean-up and detailing, along with mechanical and electrical was done myself (with that occasional advice and tinkering help from friends who felt sorry for me). I did all my parts searching either on the web, in catalogs, or searching through junkyards. I'm just proud that I finished (it only took me four years!).
How I became Interested in VWs:
I've always had an interest in automobiles and mechanics. When I was
a teenager I owned and restored a VW dune buggy. They've always held an interest for me, but it wasn't until an older relative offered a beat-up and burnt up VW bug to me for the price of hauling it out of their garage that I had a renewed interest. It had been in their Port Hueneme garage for 25-years and was filled to its roof with old papers and boxes (the bonus was the mummified cat we found in the engine compartment). We trailered it and brought it home. It was then I wondered what I had got myself into - it was a whole complicated world, yet very satisfying.
The most intriguing part of this remodel was to see the ingenuity of the product and the technology of the time. We've come a long way in automobile engineering, but there's nothing like the simplicity of a bu  60 Convertible Bug |
Owner: Eddie Galvan, Redondo Beach, CA
72 Super Beetle |
Owners:Dan and Donna Cuvelier, Los Osos, CA
Original owners! Purchased new from Sun-West Volkwagen in Hollywood while students at UCLA.
Sports a new paint job and rebuilt motor.
56 Resto Cutom Bug |
Owner: Nick Tidy, Malibu, CA
Nick just had this bug shipped out from Arizona. He's looking forward to joining
up on some of our Central Coast activities.
  69 Convertible Bug |
Owner: Jeff Hamp, Pismo Beach, CA
72 Bus |
Owner:Robert Sotelo, Mojave, CA
 56 Rometsch |
Owner: Eric Meyer, San Luis Obispo, CA
 67 Double Cab |
Owner: Javier Mariscal, Santa Maria, CA - Feature Car Summer 2011
72 Super Beetle |
Owners: Jim and Robin Este, Oxnard, CA
 55 Gert Gehlaar Story |
My VW Affair
You have heard about people having something in their blood. Well I was born with VW in my blood. Emigrating from Germany in 1953, I guess I brought the VW illness with me. So I have an excuse for I can blame my parents.
My first VW came into my life when I was living in Santa Barbara and in my senior year (1958) of High School. I purchased a 1955 VW Sedan from VanWyk's VW. It was a great little car (pic#1)
 and I used it as my daily transportation, for work and play. I belonged to the Los Vejeros Sports Car Club in Santa Barbara and we ran lots of slaloms and rallies. It had all the special equipment put on it that was available at the time. The most prized possession of the time for me was a Judson Supercharger. This car also transported me for two years attending Santa Barbara City College and two years to Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo. In 1963 I purchased a 1959 Porsche 356A(pic#2) and the VW was sold.
 Two years later my world changed dramatically for I was drafted like most other graduates from college.
I made a decision and joined the Air Force so that I could use of my education and became a Data Automation Officer. I could not have asked for a better assignment and off to Germany I went. First I sold the Porsche because I was sure I would buy a new one there. During my three-year tour in Germany and France I honed my job managing computer systems, interpreter for NATO, and buying cars. My first vehicle was a 1964 Notchback in black with a sunroof. This was to have been my interim vehicle until I found the right Porsche. Well this never happened as I attended the Frankfurt Autoshow and fell in love with the Sunbeam Tiger(pic#4) (Ford powered by Carroll Shelby).
 I also met my wife in Germany and she was driving a 1967 VW Fastback so VWs came back into my life. We shipped both cars back to the states upon our return. Ending up in Florida we sold the 67 Fastback and purchased a 69 Squareback with A/C. We then moved about every three years until we moved back to Lompoc in 1981 and I retired from the Air Force at Vandenberg in 1984.
Here is a list of some of the VWs we have owned:
Description
55 VW Sedan, Judson Supercharged
55 VW Sedan, Judson Supercharged*
59 Porsche 356A
61 Porsche 356B
61 VW Beetle*
62 Porsche 356B
64 VW Notchback
64 VW Double Cab*
64 Karmann Ghia, Judson Supercharged*16KGRACER
67 VW Fastback
67 VW 9psg Bus
68 Karmann Ghia
69 VW Squareback
69 Formula Vee, Zink C-4
71 Westy*
73 Beetle*
(* = VWs we still own)
During the years from 1970 and present time I also got involved in the antique car restoration business by restoring numerous Model T and A Fords. Presently we still own a 1926 Model T Ford Roadster Pickup(pic#7), 1926 Model T Ford 2dr Sedan(pic#8), and a 1929 Model A Ford Sports Coupe(pic#9).
   VWs came back into my life with a bang around 1994 when I purchased a 1961 Beetle(pic#10), which today is still my daily driver.
 Very closely behind that purchase I found my 1971 Westy(pic#11) only 6 blocks from my house and purchased that. Not being able to leave well enough alone while on a parts hunting trip at Randy's VW, I not only came away with the parts I needed but also an identical match to my 55 VW(pic#12) from my High School days. It is now restored to the identical car including the Judson Supercharger. Then I purchased a 1962 Porsche 356B(pic#13) - that was a real blast but someone wanted it more than I did and it was sold a year later. Around this time I became interested to going back and doing some racing that I had done while living in Santa Barbara at the Airport. A friend of mine introduced me to the Vintage Auto Racing Association and one trip to the track and I was hooked.
   I went to the VARAs driving school and did my rookie season racing my 1926 Model T Speedster(pic#14) in the Historic class. I sure got the attention but I decided that it was just not fast enough and then another person wanted to purchase the car so I sold it and purchased a 1969 Zink C-4 Formula Vee(pic#15).
Now came the problem that I wanted to race while restoring the Formula Vee so I had to find another car and I wanted air-cooled and cheap. A friend agreed to sell me his 64 Karmann Ghia racer(pic#16) because he was building up a Super Beetle(pic#17) for racing. So my vintage racing became serious with the 64 Karmann Ghia racer in class GP1. I have had so much fun with Karmann Ghia that I have won the class championship three years in a row. After the completion of the Formula Vee, I raced it at several races and decided that I really like driving the Karmann Ghia better and sold the Formula Vee.
   Well as you can see, I have a serious case of the vintage VW and antique car virus and my wife says that there is no known cure for it. After 35 years of marriage, she still points out interesting cars - will she ever learn?
    My cars are not show cars - they are made to be driven. Have a great VW day - Gert Gehlhaar, VWracer #70
The rest of my fleet! 66 21 Window |
Owner: Javier Mariscal, Santa Maria, CA - Feature Car Summer 2011
72 Westy "Pops" |
Summer 2010 Feature Car
Owner: Kerri Claussen, Ventura, CA
 55 Convertible |
Owners: Pat & Jerry Kinnan - VVWCA members in good standing!
55 Convertible
Green color
Car Nickname -- "Green Hornet"
Car Features -- Almost stock appearing to the non-purist
3rd in Class - VW Classic 2003
Mechanical/Cosmetic Changes -- Because we like to drive the car and live in the LA area (Manhattan Beach) I took out the original 1200 cc engine (Which I kept) and installed a 1600 cc dual port engine. One of the previous owners had already replaced the crash box transmission with a synchronized one.
 When we purchased the car two years ago it was an older somewhat amateur restoration that needed some attention. I try to do as much of the basic maintenance and simple work myself and leave the difficulate/technical stuff to the pros. The new engine was done by Randy at Auto Meister here in Manhattan Beach and the new interior by Lenny, West Coast Classics Restoration in Fullerton.
I became interested in Volkswagens in the late 1950s early 1960s and have owned many (5-6) VWs over the years. I am one of the past presidents (1961-1962) of the now defunct "Volkswagen Owners Club of Los Angeles." I went in the US Navy in 1962 and was discharged in 1966 and I guess the club closed up during that time. When Pat and I met in 1968, I was driving a fastback VW which later was traded in on a VW Westy.
When I retired (Semi) from El Camino College in 2000 I wanted to have an older "play" car and I had never owned a VW convertible but Pat had before I meet her, it was decided to try and find and older convertible. I did not want to spend all my retirement restoring a car but rather enjoying driving it so we started looking and found the Green Hornet in Oakland, CA.
The story told by the previous owner about the car was --- "He was living in Denver at the time and went to a local VW dealer for parts for another car and the dealership was cleaning out some old items after the death of the dealership owner and this car had been kept as a restoration project for the mechanics to work on when things were slow with customers cars. The car was to go to a grandson but when the grandson was able to drive he did not want 36 HP but rather 336 HP, so the car sat around until the grandfather died and his son took over the business and decided to clean out the old stuff" and the person we purchased the car from purchased it? Makes for an interesting story -- but how accurate it is I do not know.
 Webmasters note: Pat and Jerry can be seen driving their bug at many of Southern Californias VW events. They just
took 3rd place at the VW Classic 2003. Congratulations Pat and Jerry! Next time you see the
"Green Hornet" stop by and say Hi. 67 Meyers Manx #102 |
Owner: Randy Monroe, Santa Maria, CA
73 Fridolin |
Owner: Jason Pollock, Saticoy, CA
 55 Bug |
Owner: Jason Pollock, Saticoy, CA
 67 Cal Look Beetle |
Owner: Tim Sizemore, Atascadero, CA 1641 Cal Bug
75 Convertible Beetle |
Owner: Quillen Foley, Newberry Park, CA
 54 RHD Aussie Oval |
1954 RHD Beetle from Australia
Owner: Tom & Heather Baxstresser, Atascadero, CA
Club Feature Car - Spring 2009
 68 Beetle |
Owner: Sergio Ramirez, Lomoc, CA
75 SP2 |
Owner: Vince Petrie, Arroyo Grande, CA
It's a 1975 VW SP2 made in Sao Paulo, Brazil. One of approximately 10,000 made between 1972-1976.
All steel body with 1.7 Liter Type 3, dual carbs, pancake engine, swing-axle tranny and Type 1 front axle beam.
I bought it in 1993 in Mill Valley, CA. It was very rusty and neglected. Spent about 3 years on a body off amateur restoration.
I always planned to drive it regularly so didn't try to make it perfect. It's a rare VW, but easy to maintain and a blast to drive.
 53 Oval |
Owner: Bob Sowersby, Irvine, CA
 67 Beetle |
Owner: Dietrick Boost, SLO, CA
78 Convertilble Beetle |
Owner: Helen Miranda, Lompoc, CA
 53 Zwitter |
Owner: Darby Milnor,Lake in the Hills, IL3 photos
This is a 1953 Split Window prod date 1/2/1953 and
is an original Max Hoffmann car sold thru his Satellite Store front in
Chicago.
It spent the 50's and early 60's in California and suffered a mild roll in
Wisconsin during a trip in the middle 60's.
The car was then placed in the basement of a Cheese factory where it
sat until the early 80's. It was in good enough condition that all it needed was 2 driver side
fenders and the drip rail repaired.
 It has never had the frame off as it was
covered by a very heavy coat of thick undercoating when new and was repainted
in it's original black color. The interior is a close match to original
Herringbone with tan headliner and square weave carpet all German wool
done by a old German Gentleman locally who used to do them in Wolfsburg. He
told us that he most likely had installed the interior when the car was new!
 The motor is a vintagized 36hp and the split case transaxle has been
rebuilt. After being sold in Chicago, traveling to California wrecked in
Wisconsin it is now back within 45 miles of where it was sold new. 64 Notchback |
Owner: Eric Williams,Tehachapi, CA
     70 Camper |
Owner: Jason Lyga, Oceano, CA
 52 11C Sedan |
Owner: Rob DeChaine, Paso Robles and Claremont, CA
 65 Westy |
Owner: Ted Moen, Hesperia, CA
70 Ghia |
52 Resto/Custom Bug |
Owner: Ken Jevec,Templeton, CA
 67 Dbl Cab doublugly |
doubleugly Owner: Brian O'Kelly, Paso Robles, CA
Mexican Beetle |
2002 Mexican Beetle
Owner: Rex Douglas, Atascadero, CA
 52 Sunroof Bug |
Owner:
Rick Spohn
Morgan Hill, CA
Golden Gate Chapter Rep., VVWCA
 65 Sunroof Bug |
Owner: David Dawson, Santa Maria, CA
82 Puma |
Owner:Vince Petrie, Arroyo Grande
1982 Puma GTC. It's a fiberglass body "kit car" made in Brazil. The Puma evolved through several
body styles from the early '60's to the late '80's. It was built on a shortened VW pan. It was called a
kit car but was only sold fully assembled minus the engine and running gear. So you could import it as a kit,
then install the engine/transaxle of your choice.
I've owned it since 2001. It has a 1600cc type 1 engine with hydraulic valve lifters
and a shortened gear ratio for quicker acceleration.
 50 Metal Split |
Owners: Jon & Pat Milne, Atascadero, CA
  65 Notchback |
Owner: Eric Farnsworth, Arroyo Grande, CA
 Rock Hounds |
Off Roading out by Pozo
Kyle and Quinton do some trailblazing Baja Style
Feature Cars Oct 2009
    49 Hebmueller |
Owner:
Michael Russell
Santa Barbara, CA
Hebmuller # 14-0093
Three Photos
Okrasa Power Plant
 65 21 Window |
Owner: Eric Lykens, Orcutt, CA
74 JEG Brazilian Prototype |
Owner: Frank Atkinson, Atasacadero, CA
  42 Kal-Kubelwagon |
1942 Kubelwagon
Eric Meyer
San Luis Obispo, CA
 64 Ghia "Herman" |
Owner: Damon Claussen, Ventura, CA
 74 Beetle |
Owner: Catherine Canelis, San Luis Obispo, CA
 64 Custom Vert |
Owner: William Pitts, Taft, CA
 74 Thing |
Owner: Karisa Bennett, Santa Maria, CA
 64 Double Cab |
Owner: Jim and Anna Martin, Bakersfield, CA
 74 Bus |
Owner: Scott Busby, Los Osos, CA
 64 Ghia |
Owner: Chase Welcher, Templeton, CA
 73 USA Bug |
Owner: Leslie Armstrong, Oxnard, CA It started in the summer of 97 when I bought my first bug in Lompoc, Ca it was a ' 74 super beetle. My brother and I worked on it and got it running but I wanted a show bug and I knew that this bug was not of show quality!!
Then in 2003 I got a job in Oxnard, Ca and decided this is it I am going to find someone that knows how to restore bugs. I had been collecting items for my bug since I bought it.
 I looked in the Yellow pages and found the "Bugshakk" called and a gentleman called Blase McFadden answered and he said bring my bug in and he will take a look, this was in July 2003. I left it at his place so he could decide whether to do the work or not. He called about two weeks later and said he wanted to see me. When I arrived he told me that the rust was too much and that it wouldn't be worth restoring, but that he had a ' 73 super beetle body that would fit all my collected items. So we agreed and that began the long journey to the restoration of that body.
 First the body was totally stripped of everything, then the floor pans were replaced, and the undercarriage was rust proofed. After everything was removed it was sent across the street to Jeff Roberson to have it painted. Jeff and I worked closely together so that I could convey exactly how I wanted it painted. Jeff sanded the bug to the metal primed it twice, painted it three times and then clear coated three times. It was Jeff’s and Blases idea to have a mural put on the gas tank, because I told them that I wanted this bug dedicated to Sept 11. They both knew an awesome airbrush artist named "Tramp". I gave him a call and we set up an appointment. Jeff had a metal cover made for the gas tank so that Tramp would have something to paint on. I designed what I wanted and I took it all over to "Tramp" and within 4 weeks he had done the most incredibly awesome picture I had ever seen, it truly brought tears to my eyes. After the paint on the bug had dried it went back to Blase to finish up (the paint job took three months). The time frame is now around Dec 2003.
 I had, like I said, some stuff for the bug already like a whole new interior from "Sew Fine". I told them what I wanted and they perfectly designed it. Blase worked hard on my bug to make it as perfect as an old bug can get with after market products. He even went that extra step and painted my engine red and blue to match the car theme. The day of debarkation from the restoration asylum was the day before the "Bug Panic" in July 2004.
At the Bug Panic they had the most awesome bugs and I know that most bug shows prefer the really old bugs, so I knew I wasn't going to win, but it sure was great being there! Then on the Last weekend of July was the "VW Trend Dyno, Show and Shine" in Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange county. I won a trophy at that show, and it was the most exciting thing that could happen.
  My goal is to go to as many shows as I can. I don't want people to forget Sept 11th and that is why I created this design. Everyone in America should return to that feeling of unity that we had on that day and in the weeks to follow. The problem with the U.S. is that we are such an instant society and move on too quickly. But I quess that is what makes us a great country because we don't dwell in the past and are able to get up, shake ourselves off and continue on. What happened on Sept 11th was truly a tradegy so please don't forget those who gave thier lives then and are still giving thier lives for freedom!!
God bless and thank you for letting me tell my story.
Leslie Armstrong
64 Beetle |
Owner: Robbie Weber, Templeton, CA
72 Bus |
Owner: Kevin Bibby, Lompoc, CA
64 Beetle * cool rack |
Owner: John Crowley, Santa Maria, CA
72 Convertible Beetle |
Owner: Bill Long, Pismo Beach, CA
62 Custom Bug |
Owner: Bernie Rayner, Santa Maria, CA
 74 Convertible Beetle |
Owner: Catherine Canelis, Cazadero. Ca
63 Notchback |
Owner: William Pitts, Taft, CA
  72 Beetle |
Owner: Jamie Meraz, Santa Maria, CA
63 Custom Ragtop |
Owner: Jim Lane, Santa Maria, CA
70 Drag Bug |
Owner: James "lord of speed" Arredondo Paso Robles, CA
63 Double Cab |
Owner: Kaniela Keuma, Santa Maria, CA
 63 Beetle |
Owner: Kelly Lewis, Los Osos, CA
 63 Stocker Beetle |
Owner: Mike Feller, Ventura, CA
 64 OG Beetle |
Owner: Kevin Bibby, Lompoc, CA
69 Squareback |
Summer 2010 Feature Car
Owner: Kerri Claussen, Ventura, CA
 69 Fastback |
Owner: Matthew Guerrero, Oceano, CA
 69 Westy |
Owner: John Pasquini, Grover Beach, CA
66 Bug |
Owner:Tyler Horton, Grover Beach, CA
65 T34 |
Owner: Tom Reay, Los Osos, CA award wining Sea Blue 1965 T34 electric sunroof M345
68 T34 Elec. Sunroof - Auto Trans |
Owner: Tom Reay, Los Ososo, CA 1968 Type 34 electric sunroof automatic M345
66 Standard Microbus |
Owner: Tom Reay, Los Osos, CA
68 Custom Double Cab |
Owner: Bruce Lomath, Atascadero, CA
62 Westy |
Owner: Frank Atkinson, Atascadero,CA
  62 Beetle |
Original Owner:
Lis and Jim Herbertson
Santa Maria, CA
Feature Car Dec., 2009
This story starts in the motherland for VWs...as told by Jim.
I was stationed in Zweibrucken Germany with the USAF from Jan 60 to Jan 62. This VW was purchased from the local VW dealer in
Dec. '61 as I was preparing to transfer to Japan with a leave at home in Jan '62. Purchase price as I remember was approx $1,150.
We were one a the first VW owners in Berkeley as my mother purchased her first one, a '56 that I learned to drive in.
She sent the money for the '62 and I had it shipped to Houston Texas as I was going to San Angelo for temporary duty before going to Japan.
I picked the car up and picked up my Mom in Stillwater OK where she was visiting my sister and we drove it home to Berkeley.
She drove it for 30 years before she passed away in 1992 and I have retained ownership since then.
At this time the car has approx 117,000 miles, pretty much all original except hub caps, bumpers and some other chrome trim.
The engine has never been overhauled, and it is still in the 6 volt configuration. It has had new upholstery and head liner and has been
repainted twice with as close to the original color as could be had. The interior has never been repainted.
I hope this sheds a lttle light on the history of a great little car. Jim Herbertson
 61 Double Cab |
Owner:
Eric Lykens,
Orcutt, CA
Feature Car 2007
 61 Snowtop Bus |
Owner: Patrick Scudder, San Luis Obispo, CA
 61 Beetle |
Owner: Carol Caldwell, Atascadero, CA
 67 Patina Beetle |
Owner: Paul Rockwell, Paso Robles, CA Looks like Pauls got some connections!    60 Bug |
Owner: Larry Guittard, Atascadero, CA
60 Beetle |
Owner: Kevin Hauber, SLO, CA
65 Standard Beetle |
Owner: Don Helffenstein, Templeton, CA
Powered by a 36hp with fresh air heater boxes.
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